My Problems Ain’t So Bad
For the past few days I’ve been sitting here whining to myself about why my publisher hasn’t gotten back to me yet after they promised that they would. This is the second time that this has happened. I really hate having to write another letter asking what’s up. Then I got another email today from a small press magazine publisher where I sent a short story last January. He’s offering me a deal for a one year subscription to his magazine at a reduced rate because I’ve been so patient. (Actually, I forgot that I had sent it there or I would’ve withdrawn it long ago.) Oh yeah – the story is still under consideration. (Why do I get the feeling that if I don’t subscribe, the story is going to be rejected?) Then of course, there’s the economy. I’m watching my savings dwindle farther and farther every day. I admit it – it’s a sick compulsion that I have. I know that I shouldn’t look until the market starts to recover, but I’m afraid that if I do that, the next time I look there won’t be anything left.
So as I’m sitting here stewing about my savings (or lack thereof), my writing, those incredibly negative ads involving Al Franken and Norm Coleman that can’t be avoided for anyone who flips on a TV in Minnesota (how can any sane person not despise both of them by now?), I get an email from a friend of mine. It’s one of those forwards that are probably circulating around the country (if not the world). It’s a slide show presentation of the devastation caused by hurricane Ike. Homes and other buildings are nothing more than piles of rubble, neighborhoods still half-buried under water, dead livestock, the anguish in the faces of the survivors, the list goes on.
Now I’m sitting here wondering what right do I have to complain? (Well, I’ve got every right – this is still a free country.) But c’mon, as bad as it presently is, I’m still living in the best country in the world (although I really enjoyed my visits to Australia and Canada), I’ve got a roof over my head, I’ve got wonderful friends, and I’m still healthy. Ya know – I have it pretty damn good.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
I agree. When I start getting b****y with everything I remind myself darn quicj that I have a very comfortable and spoiled existence to be greatful for =)
March 14th, 2009 at 9:33 AM
I have this compulsion to write about everything you say, so here goes. Have you never heard the term no news is good news. This is how I feel for example when my mailbox is free of bills. You yourself told me that if it weren’t for the thing that happen to us we would not be the people we are today. Take all the negative and turn it into a positive and things have a way of finding you. Everything happens for a reason you just need to figure out what that reason is.
Deborah